The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1887-04-22
Che 9HiIg 8nltetim,
FRIDAY. APRIL %. 1887.
TIE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

y
"Thcre are indications at present of
n relaxation of the tension which
was lately noticeable to n certain
extent in the relations between
Russia and Germany, and it is be-
lieved that this approach to a better
understanding will become more
marked in the future. In Russian
diplomatic circles it is pointed out
that the supposition made by part
of the foreign press that Russia
wishes to eslrange herself polti
cally from Germany is erroneous.
Russia's desire is represented to be,
first and foremost, the maintenance
Of peace and of the European equi-
librium, and, far from considering
the continuance of good relations
with Germany rs any obstacle, she
would regard such relations as
principal factor in securing the re-
alisation of her wishes. But, in
order that the friendship between
Russia and Germany should effec-
lively produce the concilatory re-
suit desired, it is considered on the
Russian side that this friendship
should not depend upon conditions
depriving it of the character of
purely equalising force, and should
signify absolutely nothing calculated
to give umbrage in any quarter;
that is to say, that the Russo-Gcr-
man undertaking should be main
tanned strictly on the basis of res
pect by each party for the rights
and interests of the other. Nor
should its effect be paralysed either
by particular engagements which
would cause Russia to lose her posi-
ton as arbiter or by political COM
plications jeopardising her entire
liberty of action. Influenced by
the above considerations, the Rus
sian press has generally approved
the determination of the Imperial
Government TO abstain from all
material intervention in Bulgaria,
despite. the strong sympathy felt
for those among the Bulgarians who
have renamed partisans of Russia. ="
The Russian military prepara-
tions in the frontier provinces have,
according to reliable intelligence re-
ceived in Vienna, now assumed
decidedly defensive character, such,
for instance, as the undermining of
all the railway bridges. From this
it is assumed that Russia, knowing
the strength of the Austrian army,
is thinking more of action on the
part Of Austria than of taking the
offensive herself. In Austrian dip
lomatic circles, however, the danger
of an Austro-Russian conflict is
regarded as having considerably
diminished in view of the appa-
rently fixed resolve of Russia to
remain passive in the Bulgarian
question.
The Paris JoWnol dcs Debots,
of March II, publishes telegram
from Vienna mentioning report
that DR.. Won Schloezer, Prussian
Minister to the Vatican, had sug-
gested to the Pope the idea of
European Congress, in summoning
which his Holiness would take the
initiative, for the solution of the
Eastern and Egyptian questions.
Prince Bismarck, it is added, being
satisfied with his success in obtain
ing the passage of the Army Bill,
would propose to the Congress the
question of disarmament. The tele-
gram adds that the idea of such
Congress is not regarded as reas-
surfing in Vienna.
The following statement respect
ing the new alliance between Italy,
Germany and Austria appears in the
Liberia of Rome: "The French
newspapers are totally wrong in
accusing Italy of meditating the
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of France. Such
an idea has not been contemplated
for moment, and even as regards
the question of the Mediterranean
there is nothing in the Triple ALI
ance of which France can complain.
What is desired is to preserve the
status quo, and if France is also
anxious for this, dangerous compli-
cations are impossible. If, how
ever, France, seeing the impossible
lily of war of revenge against
Germany, should wish to compen-
safe herself by some new adventure
in the Mediterranean, Italy would
not be the only Power TO prevent
her from carrying out such pro-
ject. The new agreement between
the three Powers goes no further
than that. The Triple Alliance has
not been harmful to France during
the last five years, nor will it be in
the future if her intentions are truly
PEACEFUL